City of Yuma selects new police chief

Thomas Garrity is currently a Commander with the Prince William County Police in Virginia

YUMA, Ariz. (KECY, KYMA) - The City of Yuma is picking Thomas Garrity to be its new police chief.

Garrity is currently a commander in the Prince William County Police Department in Virginia.

He will fill the shoes of current chief Susan Smith who is retiring in January.

Smith has been with the Yuma Police Department for three decades and Chief of Police since 2019.

Garrity is still in Virginia for now but will be back in Yuma again shortly to work with Chief Smith and continue to meet with the community.

"She will show me around, get me acquainted with everybody, the Sherriff, and city leaders," Garrity said. "She has built a great police department and made it a great place to go to."

Acting City Administrator Jay Simonton said he was excited to announce the hiring of Garrity and that his experience is what made him the ideal candidate.

“I really believe he is up to the challenge and will be a great leader for the men and women in the police department," Simonton said. "I’m really looking forward to working with Tom and think he will be a great addition to our leadership team.”

Garrity's first day as chief will be January 9th.